Proceedings of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly
assembled after the first General Election 1972.

The Assembly met at 9 A.M. on Wednesday, the 12th
December 1973, in the Assembly Chamber, Shillong, with Hon. Speaker in the
Chair.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Mr. Speaker :- Let us begin the business of the
day by taking up Unstarred Question No.44.

UNSTARRED QUESTIONS

(Replies to which were placed on the table)

Agricultural grants to the farmers in the border areas of
Khasi Hills District

Shri. Rowell Lyngdoh asked :- 44. Will the
Minister incharge of Agriculture be pleased to state -

(a) The amount paid as agricultural grants to the
farmers in the border areas of Khasi Hills District during 1971-72
and1972-73 ?

(b) The areas brought under permanent cultivation for
which the above grants were sanctioned ?

(c) Names of products and averages annual production
from these areas during the said period ?

Shri. Edwingson Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) replied
:-

44.

(a) - Rs.2,42,496.06 in 1971-72

Rs.1,33,668.37 in 1972-73.

(b) - 2,413.29 acres in 1971-72.

1,107.50 acres in 1972-73,

(c) Paddy and the annual average production is
approximately 1,600 tonnes (clean rice).

Irrigation grants for the Mawphlang Block

Shri. Edward Kurbah asked :- 45. Will the
Minister-in-charge of Agriculture be pleased to state -

(a) The total number of applications received for
lift irrigation grants from the Mawphlang Block during 1972-73 ?

(b) The number of applications rejected ?

(c) The lumpsum amount sanctioned for lift irrigation
for the Mawphlang Block during 1972-73 ?

(d) The date of distribution of the Grants to the
Cultivators ?

(e) The names of the Cultivators who received the
said Grants and the amount sanctioned for each ?

Shri. Edwingson Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) replied :-

45. (a) - Nil.

(b) - Does not
arise.

(c) - Nil.

(d) - Does not
arise.

(e) - Does not
arise.

Shri. E. Kurbah :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to
get some more clarification regarding the total number of applications received
for lift irrigation from the Mawphlang Development Block during 1972-73.

Mr. Speaker :- The Minister's reply has already been
given. You cannot ask for clarification at this stage, you can seek information.
If you are not satisfied, half an hour discussion on this matter will be given
on some other day.

Tourism Industry, etc., in the State

Shri. Dlosing Lyngdoh asked :- 46. Will the Minister -
in-charge of Tourism be pleased to state -

(a) Whether Government proposes to establish Tourism
Industry in the State ?

(b) The names and number of the existing tourist
centres and beauty spots so far developed in the State ?

(c) Whether Government proposes to open new tourist
centres during the current financial year ?

(d) If so, where ?

(e) If not, why not ?

(f) The amount already spent for tourism alone in the
last financial year ?

(g) The scheme Government are proposing to beautify
the Barapani Lake ?

(h) Whether it is a fact that Government proposes to
enrich the State revenue by attracting tourists from the different parts
of the country and abroad by way of tourism industry ?

(i) If so, is there any Master Plan prepared ?

Shri. Stanley D.D. Nichols -Roy (Minister, Tourism)
replied :-

46. (a) - Yes.

(b), (c) & (d)
- Steps have been taken to improve the existing tourist centres and beauty
spots. New tourists centres have also been taken up. The centres and sports are
as follows :-

(1) Barapani;

(2) Thadlaskein Lake;

(3) Hot Spring at Jakrem;

(4) Approach road to Mawsmai Caves and construction
of steps to Mawsynram Caves;

(5) Tura Peak;

(6) Pinewood Hotel;

(7) Shillong Tourist Bungalow;

(8) Lady Hydari Park and Ward Lake.

(e) - Does
not arise.

(f) - Rupees 3.90
lakhs.

(g) - Construction
of a restaurant, a 15 room hotel, a swimming pool, garden and boating facilities
in the first phase of the programme.

(h) - Yes.

(i) - No. It is
under consideration.

Prof. Martin Narayan Majaw :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, in
reply to 46 (b), (c) & (d) may we know whether in this list Government
intends to add Garampani Waterfall and the Kopli river ?

Shri. S.D.D. Nichols-Roy (Minister, Tourism) :- This
is a question for the future prospect of Tourist Centres. But so far as Tourist
Centres and Beauty Spots are concerned development scheme for improvement of
these Centres had been already taken up. For the future I cannot predict at this
moment.

Shri. Maham Singh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, may we know
whether the Government proposes to open new tourist centres at Barapani,
Thadlaskein and the hot spring at Jakrem ?

Mr. Speaker :- You are connected with the new Tourist
centres.

Shri. S.D.D. Nichols-Roy (Minister, Tourism) :- These
are new schemes for improvement.

Mr. Speaker :- The places which Mr. Maham Singh has
pointed out already included in the reply and these schemes are only for
improvement.

Shri. S.D.D. Nichols Roy (Minister, Tourism) :- Mr.
Speaker, Sir, the whole statement concerns with opening of new Tourist Centres
in the State for tourists' attraction. But in so far as development of these
centres is concerned the department has taken up many new schemes for the
development of tourism even in those centres which may have been in existence
for many years.

Shri. U. Kharbuli :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, is it not a
fact that a portion of greater Shillong driver has been also included in the
programme for improvement of tourism in the capital ?

Shri. S.D.D. Nichols Roy (Minister, Tourism) :- This
is within a different department and not under Tourism.

Shri. Jackman Marak :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, may we know
whether the Government has started improvement works at Tura Peak ?

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, in reply to 46
(g) the Government proposes to start opening of a restaurant in Barapani to
facilitate the programme in co-ordination with the District Council of Khasi
Hills because as you know Sir, the District Council has control over the lake at
present. May we know whether new arrangements to separate the control from the
District Council have been initiated ?

Shri. W.A. Sangma (Chief Minister) :- Sir, Tourism is
a department of the State Government and new arrangement to take over control of
the lake from the District Council to the State is being made.

Booking Office at Tura

Shri. Jackman Marak asked :-

47. Will the Minister-in-charge of
Transport be pleased to state -

(a) Whether Government propose to construct building
for a Booking Office at Tura ?

(b) If so, when ?

Shri. Stanley D.D. Nichols-Roy (Minister, Transport)
replied :-

47. (a) - Yes.

(b) - As soon as
possible.

Number of Taxis in Tura Town

Shri. Jackman Marak asked :

48. Will the Minister-in-charge of
Transport be pleased to state the number of Taxis (with their numbers) plying in
Tura Town ?

Shri. Stanley D.D. Nichols-Roy (Minister, Transport) replied
:-

48. The number of Taxis plying in Tura Town
with numbers -

(1) MLT - 112.

(2) MLT - 139.

(3) MLT - 212.

(4) MLT - 239.

(5) WBB - 3526 (Jeep Taxi)

(6) MLT - 224 (Jeep Taxi).

Stray Cattle in Shillong Town

Shri. Winstone Syiemiong asked :

49. Will the Minister-in-charge of
Municipal Administration be pleased to state -

(a) Whether Government is ware of the fact that stray
cattle are freely roaming in the heart of Shillong Town ?

Shri. Maham Singh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, may we know
what steps are being taken ?

Shri. S.K. Marak (Minister, Municipal Administration) :-
In 1973, the Government has imposed restricted measures to prevent the stray
cattle from roaming about the town of Shillong which has resulted in the
prosecution of the owners of 10 cows and 2 bulls.

Shri. Maham Singh :- May we know Mr. Speaker, Sir,
where is the Cattle Pound ?

(c) & (d) -
The proposals are under the consideration of the Government.

Prof. Martin Narayan Majaw :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, in
reply to (c) and (d) the Government stated that the proposal to increase the
daily wage to the suffering people are under consideration. Is the Government
aware of the fact that the people are really suffering ?

Mr. Speaker :- This is already given in the answer.

Shri. P.N. Choudhury :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, in reply to
question (b) and (c) may I know whether Government proposes to give
interim relief to those labourers in view of the spiraling rise in the prices of
essential commodities ?

Mr. Speaker :- That is a new question.

Construction of Jakrem-Ranikor Road

Shri. Rowell Lyngdoh asked :-

54. Will the Minister-in-charge of P.W.D.
(R. & B.) be pleased to state -

(a) The date on which construction of Jakrem-Ranikor
Road (J.R. Road) was started ?

(b) Total length of the road ?

(c) Construction completed so far and the target date
for completion of the whole length ?

(d) Whether it is a fact that the gradient of about 5
K.M. of the completed road (between Rangthong and Kyniong is very bad
that no vehicle can ply)

(e) If so, whether any action has been taken against
those responsible and measure to correct the same ?

Shri. Darwin D. Pugh (Minister of State, P.W.D.)
replied :-

54. (a) - Construction of the road was
started in 1959.

(b) - Fifty two
Kilo Metres.

(c) - Thirty-eight
Kilo Metres road formation has been completed so far. The remaining length is
expected to be completed by December 1974.

(d) - The gradient
on this stretch between Rangthong and Kyniong is steep but vehicles can ply.

(d) - Maintenance
of the schemes is done by the Department, if not taken over by local committees.

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, if all the 18
schemes are expected to be completed ?

Mr. Speaker :- I don't think all the 18 schemes will
be completed at the same time.

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- But Sir, how many of them ?

Shri. S.K. Marak (Minister, Public Health Engineering) :-
In due course they will be completed.

Mr. Speaker :- I think the Minister should give a
specific reply.

Shri. W.A. Sangma (Chief Minister) :- Mr. Speaker, it
is very difficult on the part of my colleague because the schemes require many
materials for construction. That factor should be taken into account. Besides,
there are plans and other vital factors that should be taken into account for
the execution of these schemes. As such, it is very difficult for him to give a
specific reply to the question.

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- How many of the completed
schemes have been taken over by the Local Committees ?

Shri. S.K. Marak (Minister, Public Health Engineering) :-
The reply is none of the schemes has so far been handed over to the Local
Committees.

Crimes and Corruption Cases

Shri. Rowell Lyngdoh asked :-

57. Will the Chief Minister be pleased to
state -

(a) The number of crimes detected during 1972-73 till
date ?

(b) The number of such cases prosecuted and convicted
respectively ?

(c) The number of corruption cases reported from all
corners during 1972-73 till date ?

(d) The number of corruption cases taken up for
investigation during the said period ?

(e) The number of such prosecuted so far ?

Shri. Williamson A. Sangma (Chief Minister)replied
:-

57. (a) - (i) Number of cases reported
during the year 1972 - 1,512.

Number of cases
charge-sheeted during 1972 - 1,015.

(ii) Number of
cases reported from 1st January 1973 to 31st October 1973
- 1,445.

(a) Whether Government has lately received a letter
from the Fertilizer Corporation of India complaining that M/s. Rallis
India, Limited had diverted to Tinsukia and other parts of Assam a large
quantity of fertilizers allocated for Meghalaya ?

(b) The name of the local Khasi Hills agent or
representative for Rallis India Limited ?

Shri. Edwingson Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) replied :-

58. (a) - Yes, a copy of the letter
addressed to M/s Shillong Co-operative Marketing Society Limited was endorsed to
the Director of Agriculture, Meghalaya.

(b) - M/s Shillong
Co-operative Marketing Society Limited.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- The reply to (a) is 'yet'. May we
know what steps Government has taken as a result of a letter they have received
from the company ?

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, the Department has conducted an enquiry and it is found that the allegation
is baseless.

Shri. Maham Singh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, what is the
quota of fertilizers diverted to some other places allocated for this State?

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- Not from the
quota of the State of Meghalaya, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Shri. Dlosing Lyngdoh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I did not
give notice of this unstarred question No.54. I wonder how did it appear in my
name /

Mr. Speaker :- I do not know. Perhaps without any
intention the papers came to my notice. So, this question No.54 must be struck
off from the proceedings of the House, since the hon. Member said that he has
not asked it. Of course, the remaining questions have to be renumbered serially.

Shri. Dlosing Lyngdoh :- Can we not check whether
somebody has signed my name and submitted the question ?

Mr. Speaker :- That is another process which we will
have to adopt.

Shri. H. Hadem :- That can be done by the Speaker
himself but not inside the House.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- Sir, in the renumbered question
No.57, may we know the name of the Secretary of the Shillong Co-operative
Marketing Society Ltd.?

Shri. Edwingson Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- Mr.
Horen Jones.

Shri. S.P. Swer :- Answer to 57 (a), whether the same
quantity of fertilizers diverted to Tinsukia and other parts of Assam was again
diverted to Khasi Hills district. Whether that is a fact ?

Mr. Speaker :- The Minister-in-charge has already said
that there is no diversion from Meghalaya quota.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- My third supplementary, Sir. May
we know if at that particular time Meghalaya did receive its full quota ?

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- At that time
Meghalaya received 105 tonnes and these 105 tonnes have reached Shillong.

Shri. G. Mylliemngap :- Sir, what are the other
agencies handling fertilizers in the State ?

Mr. Speaker :- That is a new question.

CALLING ATTENTION

Mr. Speaker :- Item No.2. Mr. Kurbah.

Shri. Edward Kurbah :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to call
the attention of the Minister, Agriculture, under Rule 54 of the Rules of
Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Assembly regarding "the raid by
the Deputy Commissioner, Khasi Hills District on the 6th December,
1973 in the Godown of M/s Shillong Marketing Co-operation Society Limited near
Bara bazar, where in the presence of other Magistrates, Agricultural Officers
and many others, the Deputy Commissioner caught red handed the employees of the
said Society mixing the fertilizer with a very high percentage of sand of almost
the same colour as the fertilizer".

Mr. Speaker :- If you want to further enlighten the
House, you may state only the facts.

Shri. Edward Kurbah :- Sir, in this connection, I
would like to bring to the notice of the House the detection in this very godown
of adulteration of fertilizers by the Deputy Commissioner, Khasi Hills on the 5th
of December, 1973. I got this information from a reliable person that
adulteration has been going on in that very godown and that truck No. MLS 2297
was carrying sands to that godown. This carrying of sands has been going to for
about one week. I have got the information from reliable person that
adulteration of fertilizers is going on in that godown. So, on that evening, I
gave the information to one of the hon. Members of this House so that these
practices should be stopped. So, on that very evening we went to approach the
Deputy Commissioner, Khasi Hills.

Mr. Speaker :- You went to search and find out your
self ! (Laughter)

Shri. Edward Kurbah :- I went to search for the D.C....

Mr. Speaker :- Under whose authority did you have the
right to search ?

Shri. Edward Kurbah :-I went to search for the D.C. in
order to find out whether this adulteration is actually a fact. So on that
evening round about 10 O'clock we contacted the D.C. and the D.C. told us that
the matter will be taken up on the next day. So, early in the morning of 6th
December, we went again to the D.C. and reported to him that another Truck No.
MLS. 3184 was unloading sands in front of that very godown and then loading the
fertilizers from that very godown to be carried somewhere. And then round about
11 O' clock that day, 6th December, 1973, the D.C., the magistrate,
police and other agricultural officers went to that suspicious godown, but it
was found that the godown was locked. The D.C. then ordered the owner of the
godown to open the door but the owner of the godown did not turn up. So the D.C.
gave orders to break open the door. When the door was opened, it was found that
some labourers were very smartly mixing fertilizers with sand. There in that
godown it was found that the sand bearing the same colour with that of the
fertilizers was found and this sand was mixed with the fertilizers. So the D.C.
together with the magistrate went inside and seized about 2000 bags of
fertilizers from that godown. Out of these 2000 bags, 12 bags were about to be
carried in the truck and these 12 bags were also taken under the custody of the
D.C. for expert analysis. So, in this connection, I would like to get a clear
picture from the Minister-in-charge as to what action has been taken against the
persons who are responsible for having the fertilizers mixed with sand. With
these few words, Sir, I now take my seat.

Mr. Speaker :- After the clarification given by the
hon. Member, I find it difficult to say whether the Minister-in-charge of
Agriculture or the Minister, Home will be able to reply. But since the Minister,
Agriculture has given his consent to reply left him make a statement.

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, acting on reliable information, the Deputy Commissioner, Khasi hills,
raided a godown belonging to the Shillong Co-operative Marketing Society who are
the premier dealers in chemical fertilizers in this district. On search it was
found that most of the chemical fertilizers stocked there for sale to the
farmers were heavily mixed with foreign materials like sand. The search also
revealed that about 200 bags of pure sand were also stocked in the godown along
with some bags of pure fertilizers. The case has been registered in the Shillong
Police Station in this connection and investigation is in progress. Samples of
the incriminating materials were sealed in the presence of the Magistrate for
the purpose of chemical analysis. There were approximately 1000 bags of such
mixed fertilizer.

During the search
and seizure on a request from the Deputy Commissioner, some senior Officers from
the Agriculture Department Directorate were also present.

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- On a point of clarification. It
is said that the case has been registered. May we know against whom this case
has been registered ?

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- Is it against the Secretary of
the Society or against the Society as a whole ?

Mr. Speaker :- May be against the Chairman of the
Society.

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- May we have the reply from the
Minister ?

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, when we register a case against the Society, the office bearers, the
Secretary or the Chairman according to the bye-law of the Society will be liable
for prosecution.

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- Has any person been arrested on
this account ?

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- The matter
is under investigation and no arrest has been made.

Shri. Hopingstone Lyngdoh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, is it
not a fact that this case has not been clearly informed by the authorities
concerned otherwise how can a Minister say that he could not give a reply ?

Mr. Speaker :- This is also very difficult for the
Minister to reply. Anyway, this Chief Minister may give a reply whether the case
has been registered and proper investigation of the case is being conducted now.

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- Who are the accused ?

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- As I have
the matter is under investigation. The Police have not been able to fix the
responsibility to be finally prosecuted.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have just
been told that a case has been registered. May we know from the
Minister-in-charge of Home, who are the complainants, who are the accused in
this particular case.

Shri. W.A. Sangma (Chief Minister) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, when the case is registered, proper investigation is proceeded and it is
not possible at this stage to give a clear reply.

Shri. B.B. Lyngdoh (Minister, Law) :- When a case is
registered, that is, say about death or theft, the name of the accused is not
revealed but should it be found out first when there is an offence. It will take
time for the Police to find out who is the person to be charged.

Shri. Hopingstone Lyngdoh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, as a
matter of fact when the Minister has admitted that 1,000 bags of fertilizers
have been adulterated, why the Police authority who are supposed to take up the
case did not arrest the person concerned ?

Mr. Speaker :- Mr. Lyngdoh, you must also understand
from the contention of the hon. Member who brought forward the calling intention
motion that the labourers were found mixing the fertilizers. So whether the act
was committed by the labourers of their own sweet will or by the Society or by
anybody else. This is a subject matter for investigation.

Shri. G. Mylliemngap :- Is there any formula in mixing
the fertilizer with sand?

Mr. Speaker :- In fact, in a Calling attention Motion,
no such further clarification is required. I have allowed this as a special case
in consultation with the Leader of the Opposition to discuss this matter.

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, this is a very ticklish question. There is a provision that tiller should
be added to the fertilizer but it is not clear whether san be be treated as
tiller.

Shri. Maham Singh :- May we know under whose custody
the fertilizer was kept at the time of occurrence and whether Government have
not been able to fix any responsibility in spite of the fact that the
fertilizers was found in that particular Society.

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, the fertilizer was in the godown of the Shillong Marketing Society, and the
Deputy Commissioner seized the whole stock on that day.

Shri. Maham Singh :- May we know that in spite of the
fact that the fertilizer was in the custody of that Society whether the accused
was fixed with a responsibility regarding adulteration of fertilizer.

Mr. Speaker :- I think this is a legal aspect which
comes at a time when the case is taken up.

Shri. D. Lyngdoh :- Whether this Co-operative has been
authorised to mix the sand with fertilizer ?

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- This is a
question to be revealed when the investigation is completed.

Shri. D.N. Joshi :- Will the Minister-in-charge of
Agriculture be pleased to state if the labourers were arrested in this case.

Shri. Hopingstone Lyngdoh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, the
Minister has not replied to the question asked by the Member from Umroi whether
the Co-operative has been authorised to mix sand with chemical fertilizer or
whether they have taken a licence or not for chemical mixture.

Mr. Speaker :- But the Minister has said that this
fact will be revealed at the time of investigation. This is a ticklish matter,
the case is under investigation. There are things which may come out or may not.

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- Whether this Society is allowed
to do business after this ?

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- This is
under the consideration of the Government.

Shri. S.P. Swer :- Whether fertilizer is a chemical
product and whether sand is not one of the ingredients of the product ?

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- That I
cannot reply, I am not a technical man.

Government BILL

Mr. Speaker :- Let us close this matter. Let us come
to Item No.3. Before I asked the Minister-in-charge of Finance to move for
consideration of the Meghalaya (Ministers' Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment)
Bill, 1973, let me read a message from the Governor.

"Raj Bhavan

Shillong

The 7th December, 1973

In exercise of the
powers conferred by clause (3) of Article 207 of the Constitution of India, I,
Lallan Prasad Singh, Governor of Meghalaya, hereby recommend to the Meghalaya
Legislative Assembly the consideration of the Meghalaya (Ministers' Salaries and
Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 1973.

Mr. Speaker :- Motion moved. I now put the question
before the House. The question is that the Meghalaya (Ministers' Salaries and
Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 1973 be taken into consideration. (The Motion was
carried). Since I have received no amendment to the Bill, I ask the Minister to
move that the Bill be passed.

Mr. Speaker :- Motion moved. Now I put the question
before the House. The question is that the Meghalaya (Ministers' Salaries and
Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 1973 be passed.

(The Motion was
carried and the Bill passed)

Let us pass on to
item No.4. But before I ask the Minister-in-charge of Finance to move that the
Bill be taken into consideration, let me read a message from the Governor :-

Raj Bhavan

Shillong

Dated, the 7th December, 1973

In exercise of the
powers conferred by Clause (3) of Article 207 of the Constitution of India, I,
Lallan Prasad Singh, Governor of Meghalaya, hereby recommend to the Meghalaya
Legislative Assembly the consideration of the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya
(Speaker's and Deputy Speaker's Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) bill, 1973.

Mr. Speaker :- Motion moved and now I put the question
before the House. The question is that the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya
(Speaker's and Deputy Speaker's Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 1973,
be taken into consideration.

(The motion was
carried).

Since I have
received no amendment to the Bill, may I ask the Minister to move that the Bill
be passed.

Mr. Speaker :- Motion moved and now I put the question
before the House. The question is that the Legislative Assembly of Meghalaya
(Speaker's and Deputy Speaker's Salaries and Allowances) (Amendment) Bill, 1973
be passed.

(The motion was
carried and the Bill passed).

Let us pass on to
Item No.5. Before I ask the Minister-in-charge of Labour to move that the Bill
be taken into consideration, let me read a message from the Governor :

"Raj Bhavan

Shillong

Dated the 7th December, 1973.

In exercise of the
powers conferred by Clause (3) of Article 207 of the Constitution of India, I,
Lallan Prasad Singh, Governor of Meghalaya, hereby recommend to the Meghalaya
Legislative Assembly the consideration of the Meghalaya Civil Task Force Bill,
1973.

Mr. Speaker :- Motion moved and now I put the question
before the House. The question is that the Meghalaya Civil Task Force Bill, 1973
be passed.

(The motion was
carried and the Bill passed).

STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF MINISTER

I have received a notice from the Chief Minister that he would like to make
a statement on a news item dated New Delhi, the 4th December, 1973,
entitled "Meghalaya advised to drop the Bill" which appeared in the
Times of India, dated 5th December, 1973. Chief Minister to make a
statement.

*Shri. W.A. Sangma (Chief Minister) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, with your permission I would like to make a statement regarding a news
item, dated New Delhi, the 4th December, 1973, entitled
"Meghalaya advised to drop the Bill" which appeared in the Times of
India, dated the 5th December, 1973. I would like to inform the
House through you, Sir, that the State Government have not sought permission
from the Union Law Ministry to enact any legislation to empower Government with
powers to declare any citizen of Meghalaya as a non-resident and thus debar him
from contesting any election in future from the State. As no such legislation is
proposed by Government, the question of the Union Law Ministry with holding
permission to any such legislation does not arise.

As the hon.
Members are well aware, the Meghalaya Residential Permit Bill was introduced in
the House on the 5th of this month. But this legislation seeks to
confer upon the Government certain powers for issue of residential permits to
persons who are neither permanent resident nor Members of the Scheduled Tribes
resident in Meghalaya for staying in the State. The provisions of the present
Bill do not seek any powers for the Government to declare any citizen of
Meghalaya as a non-resident or debar him from contesting any election from the
State in future.

The said news item
is incorrect, baseless and apparently motivated. It is also not correct that the
present legislation which is before this House is directed against Prof. G.G.
Swell or any Member of the Scheduled Tribes resident in Meghalaya or any
permanent resident of the State.

Mr. Speaker :- Before we take up the No-Confidence
motion, let the House stand adjourned till 10.30 today.

NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION

(The House resumed its sitting at 10.30 after a short break
with the Hon. Speaker in the Chair).

Mr. Speaker :- Item No.6. Mr. Upstar Kharbuli to move
the No-confidence Motion. Before I ask the hon. Member to move, I may inform the
House that I have calculated the time factor and some other factors. I will give
one hour and a half the Members of the Opposition, one hour and a half for
Members of the Ruling Party and the Chief Minister may reply tomorrow. Today we
have two and half hours and tomorrow half an hour. Now Mr. Kharbuli.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to
move the following No-confidence Motion that this House expresses its want of
confidence in the present Ministry headed by Capt. Williamson A. Sangma.

Mr. Speaker :- Motion moved.

*Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, while
initiating this discussion in this No-Confidence Motion, I beg to state that the
hon. Members of this august House will agree with me that many acts of omission
and commission have been committed by this Government during a period of not
less than two years, when it is holding the power of running the Government of
this State. First and foremost, I would like to draw the attention of the
House to a number of policies and programmes which were taken up by this
Government during its tenure of office. These were amply demonstrated through
various legislations and there have been a number of Acts passed by this
Assembly by virtue of the majority which this Government is having and they
simply steamrolled whatever opposition made by the Member from this side of the
House. This has brought about great discontent and resentment and opposition
from the overwhelming majority of the people of this State as is seen in various
public meetings and rallies. The people have tried to express their resentment,
discontent and opposition through various public meetings organised in various
parts of the State. All kinds of repressive measures were taken by this
Government. One such legislation is the Agricultural Income Tax by which this
Government has sought to impose heavy taxes upon the poor cultivators of the
State without considering their difficulties at all.

Mr. Speaker :- You mean the Agriculture Income Tax Act
was passed by this Legislature.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I just want
to say that in spite of Opposition that we have made from this side, this
Act was passed without considering the difficulties faced by the poor
cultivators of our hilly areas of our State .........

Shri. P.G. Marbaniang :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, on a point
of clarification ...............

Mr. Speaker :- No. You cannot raise a point of
clarification. I may inform the hon. Member that this Act has been passed
unanimously and there was no opposition at that time.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I said
this Act was passed without considering the difficulties faced by the poor
cultivators who used to cultivate their unfertile lands of our hilly regions and
more so they are frequently visited by natural calamities like hailstorms, pests
and bad weather. It is also a fact that most of those cultivators are very very
poor and the families can hardly live from hand to mouth. So this Government
without going into the full merits of the case and without making a thorough
study of such factors and without looking at the investment and expenditure
involved by these cultivators, have just passed this Act. Now I feel that as a
responsible Government, they should first take the people into confidence before
bringing out such measures. The Government should not have remain satisfied with
themselves merely on assumption supplied from the tables of the bureaucrats. The
hope of the poor people has been belied, their hardships have been ignored and
now they are apprehensive of their future lot. They have no more confidence in
the present Government of Meghalaya. I do not know what more I will speak on
this particular issue. But I hope other hon. Members would also like top give
their considered opinions on this. But as I said, the people are very
dissatisfied with the present Government. They are hard-hit by the Land Transfer
Act which has totally ignored the customary practices and usages adopted by the
people protected by the District Councils and the local Chief.

Mr. Speaker :- I don't remember that this House has
passed any Land Transfer Act.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- It is Land Regulation Act.
This Act also relates to the transfer of land and we have seen that this
Government has not spelled out its policy which should have been adopted under
this Act. The Act passed by this House under the initiative of the Government
relates to forests and revenue and this has gone against their commitment as
laid down in their election manifesto. The Government had held out many promises
during election time to the people. They have asked for their votes and made
commitments. I don't want to take much time of the House, but I would confine
myself only to the performances of this Government. The policy adopted by this
Government in the land tenure system of the Khasis is against their democratic
rights which they have been enjoying since time immemorial. This Government has
also set up the Land Reforms Commission which goes against the will of the
people and is against the democratic ideals. This has brought about a
revolutionary change in the real sense of democracy. It would have been proper
for this Government to first seek public opinion either through public platforms
or by having a fresh mandate from the people just like what the Government of
India did in 1970, and like other democratic set up in the world. Another vital
issue is that the employment policy of this Government has totally failed to
fulfill the aspirations of the people. This Government have also failed to
provide employment and job opportunities for the educated and uneducated people.
This has been clearly manifested by entrusting almost all such responsible
posts to the people from outside the State, in spite of the fact that local
talents are available. For instance, the Minister for Industries has had to go
to the city, outside the State to hold interview to fill up the posts, such as
the posts of General Manager and the Secretary, Assam Cement.

Mr. Speaker :- Does the Minister go to conduct
interview himself ?

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Not only that.

Shri. S.D.D. Nichols -Roy (Minister, Industries) :-
Mr. Speaker, Sir, the mover has brought the name of the Minister regarding
conducting of interview for the post of General Manager. So, I would like to
give the exact date and place outside the State where such interview has been
conducted.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- I cannot remember the exact
date.

Shri. S.D.D. Nichols-Roy (Minister, Industries) :- I
would like to confirm the fact first.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- I cannot remember but there
was a report somewhere.

Mr. Speaker :- This House cannot take up any issue
which is based on hearsay.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Anyway we have seen that for
the post of Horticulturist in the Agriculture Department, a retired personnel
was brought at one time in spite of the fact that there was a local officer who
has already been serving in the State who can still man the post. I would like
to speak here, if time permits where I may ask the Members of the Treasury Bench
if they themselves being local people are qualified to sit in the Treasury Bench
?

Shri. H. Hadem :- This is unconstitutional. We cannot
allow such thing.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Another failure of the
Government I would like to say is the introduction of this single file system in
the Secretariat offices of this Government. The actual process which is being
followed now in these offices can neither be single file system nor a system
which is being followed throughout the country (voices : No system at
all.......).

Mr. Speaker :- Order order.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- This system has brought about
a Government machinery which is top heavy which will drain the resources of the
State. It is also because of this system that this Government has failed to
bring about absorption of its employees who belong to the State, or who have to
face all types of humiliations by going down to Dispur instead of the fact that
it was this Government at the time of fighting for a separate State which have
made out of that one of the issues for a separate State was the language issue.
Another thing which we have seen here is that many local people who have been
qualified in the competitive examination for All India Services like I.A.S. and
allied services, none of them have been taken in by this Government. While in
Assam, the Assam Government are trying their best to take in all their
experienced people in spite of the fact that they belong to a joint cadre. Every
year we know that the Government of India provides cash programme in order to
afford employment opportunities to both the people of the rural and urban areas.
Here also the people are not benefited. One clear instance is that at the time
of the creation of this State, we have seen that this Government is trying to
furnish their luxurious office rooms with furniture brought from outside the
State, while in actual fact, these furniture can be easily manufactured here at
a cheaper price and may be of better quality. This can be clearly seen just the
other day in the exhibition organised by the Industries Department in Shillong.

Mr. Speaker :- Now, it is 19 minutes.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, one thing I
would like to bring out here is about the negligence of this Government to do
anything to demonopolise, the Gauhati - Shillong Road in respect of goods
traffic, which has brought out an artificial bottleneck for the State. This is
the life-line which has been serving the two Districts of the State including
the capital of one State. So, the monopoly on this road has debarred free
marketing of local produces and it has sometimes prevented the people to carry
on their trade in an unhampered and smooth manner.

Another
failure of the Government which I would like to show here is the
negligence to check the rise in prices of essential commodities which have gone
beyond the reach of the common people. The Government is fully aware of the fact
that Meghalaya is a deficit State in respect of foodstuffs especially rice and
other essential commodities. But this Government has failed to assume its
responsibility to undertake measures for providing regular supply to the
responsibility to undertake measures for providing regular supply to the
consumers of the State and rather has tried to shirt its responsibility. As a
matter of fact they have tried to shift the entire responsibility by blaming the
Food Corporation of India whereas it is the bounden duty and responsibility of
the State Government to devise its own ways and means and see that the required
food-stuff is made available through the local agencies. I would like also to
point out here that this Government have done nothing to prevent the operation
of the nationalisation of Coal Mines Act passed by the Government of India in
respect of our small coal mines run by our people on cottage industry basis.
Also this Government has done nothing in respect of potato trade in Khasi Hills
and jute and cottage trade in Garo Hills. They have done nothing to mitigate the
plight of the poor cultivators from the exploitation of the middlemen. Another
thing which is telling very much upon the economy of the people, i.e. the
imposition of the passenger tax, as has been referred to by one of the hon.
Members yesterday. To bear this passenger tax and other transport tax is beyond
the means of the poor operators who have made a profession out of the transport
business. Another thing is that we have seen the misuse of the Government
machinery by this Government in trying to suppress the freedom of speech and
expression of the people and they have gone to the extent of convening certain
meetings in the rural areas by utilising the services of the Government
machinery.

Mr. Speaker :- I would like to remind the hon. Member
that whatever happened outside the House whether it is suppression of freedom of
speech by this Government or that Government, it is up to those people to seek
redress in the court of law.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, we cannot
deny that facts and I hope most of the hon. Members will support me that such
things are being practised by this Government and it has manifested itself in
giving nominations of the Members to various Committees set up by this
Government in giving advertisements to the local newspapers and also in granting
licenses. So, Mr. Speaker, Sir, in the light of the above performances of the
Government I have got no other alternative but to come forward before this
august House with a no-confidence motion for removal of this Government headed
by Capt. Williamson A. Sangma. It has been placed on record that during several
Sessions of the Assembly we have come forward with various constructive
suggestions but this Government could not correct itself in spite of the
suggestions. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have no confidence in this present
Ministry.

Mr. Speaker :- Mr. Koch, I shall give you 26 minutes.

*Shri. S.N. Koch :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to
support the motion moved by the hon. Member but while supporting this motion I
express my sorrow for I have a very close and personal relationship with the
Leader of the House and with other Members of Treasury Bench against whom this
motion is being moved. But I cannot forfeit the trust and confidence reposed
upon me by the people. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Government has miserably failed to
keep its promise to fight against three enemies, viz, poverty, ignorance
and disease. On many occasions, the Leader of the House took pledge in the
public platform as well as on the floor of this august House to fight against
these enemies. But one will wonder how far this Government exercised its power
at its disposal to drive out all these enemies. For catering to the need of our
school-going children, as you are aware, Sir, there are only 81 High Schools in
our State with a population of about 11 lakhs. Even if we distribute one High
School for a population of 1,35,000, the present number of High Schools falls
far too short of the actual necessity. At present one High School covers a
radius of 30 to 40 Kilometers and the density of population in our State is only
44 per sq. K.M. Mr. Speaker, Sir, is it humanly possible for a boy of eight or
ten years to walk 40 kilometres everyday and to attend the school ? Not only
that. This Government has acted contrary to the declared policy in that it has
failed to fight against ignorance. This Government has issued a circular wherein
it has contended that no L.P. School shall be established within a radium of 5
sq. Kilometres.

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, I think the hon. Member has referred to the L.P. Schools which are not
under the State Government.

Shri. S.N. Koch :- I am speaking about the circular
issued by the State Government, Mr. Speaker, Sir, that no M.E. School should be
established within 10 kms. and High Schools within 14kms. This is not only
contrary to the Government policy to fight ignorance but is the calculated
motive of the Government to see that the people of Meghalaya continue to be
ignorant.

Mr. Speaker :- Where is that Meghaloy ? I have always
mentioned that the word Meghalaya should be used. But again you are using the
word 'Meghaloy' ?

Shri. S.N. Koch :- Thank you for the correction. So,
Sir, this is one of the instances to show how our Government set itself to drive
out ignorance, which is one of the omissions and commissions of the State
Government which affects the vital existence of the people of the State. So
according to this circular, the people have to open schools but without any
assistance from the Government because it is against the policy of the
Government. Under such directions, no Inspectors or Deputy Inspector of Schools
or even Directorate of Public Instruction can sanction any grant, because the
grants are in the hands of the Ministers and the Government. Mr. Speaker, Sir,
since this Government has come into existence, it has attempted to set one
citizen against another citizen by fermenting racial tendencies among the
citizens. The Mover of this motion has also spoken on the regulation of the Land
Transfer Bill. The regulation is one of such measures that apparently show
protection of the interest of the tribal people. But it has not protected the
interest of the tribal people because there is a regulation which says that a
man who cannot have the citizenship certificate from the district authorities,
cannot have land. Despite the fact that this Government has brought this
legislation .........

Shri. W.A. Sangma (Chief Minister) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, on a point of information. The regulation has not directed that a person
should get a certificate from the district authorities to acquire land.
Therefore, I would request the hon. Member who is also a lawyer, to speak with
knowledge.

Shri. S.N. Koch :- But Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is a
practice that if a man who is not a resident of Garo Hills is to get land, he
should obtain a certificate.

Shri. W.A. Sangma (Chief Minister) :- But not in the
regulation.

Shri. S.N. Koch :- Anyway, Sir, I have not brought the
Act. So, I cannot satisfy. .. (laughter)... In any case, Sir, my point is not
that a certificate or a piece of legislation will retard the progress of the
people of this State but this will give an opportunity for the Government no
doubt because when many citizens will quarrel and there will be
misunderstanding, then the benefit will be reaped by this Government.

Mr. Speaker, Sir, every time when there was acute scarcity of
food and when we approached the Minister or the district authorities, the reply
of the Government or the agency was that food scarcity was not only a phenomenon
of our State but an all-India phenomenon. But is the Government sitting here
only to say that because it is the all-India phenomenon, so we should not do
anything. To tide over the food situation, we shall have to put emphasis on
agriculture. I would like to cite one example how our Government has failed
miserably. There is only one irrigation bund which was sanctioned two years ago.
But that bund could not be expedited by the Government because the Executive
Engineer has not give his technical approval. Two years have passed but the
Executive Engineer could not find time to give his technical approval. This is
the efficiency of this Government. I will not go into the details. Agriculture
is the profession which is to be done in time. If we are to wait for years and
months together, then the season will not wait for us and no irrigation could be
done.

So in this way,
Sir, these are the acts of omissions and commissions on the part of this
Government and this Government has failed miserably to serve the people. Since
it has failed miserably, I am saying not only this House has lost its
confidence, but the Government also has forfeited the rights to rule the State.
With these few observations, I resume my seat.

Mr. Speaker :- Now, Mr. Kyndiah.

*Shri. P.R. Kyndiah :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I know all my
friends in the opposition group that this motion will surely leave an
ignominious impression, both qualitatively and quantitatively for the simple
reason that the mover of the motion does not carry the conviction of the motion
being in its originality. If I may say so, it is a carbon copy (laughter)
of the Public Demands Implementation Committee of which the hon. Mover is the
Chairman.

Shri. S.D. Khongwir :- On a point of order, Mr.
Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member is not the Chairman of that Committee.

Mr. Speaker :- The hon. Member, Mr Kyndiah, says that
he happens to be (Laugher).

Shri. P.R. Kyndiah :- Now, Mr. Speaker, Sir, the
motion has finally confirmed my suspicion that the local State Congress has come
out with its motion with its true colour. There is a saying - a leopard cannot
change its colour. What I am saying is the truth and all sections of the
opposition side are agreeing with me. (Laughter). Mr. Speaker, Sir, the
charges made by the two Speakers before me .........

Shri. P.R. Kyndiah :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I mean to say
the hon. Members who were the Speakers just before me. Now they have made some
sweeping remarks without bringing specific charges and I do not feel it
necessary for me to go into the details but Sir, with your permission I feel
this House has a duty to appreciate the character of the persons or group of
hon. Members who brought forward this motion.

Mr. Speaker :- What character ?

Shri. P.R. Kyndiah :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am reminded
of a psychiatric, a form of psychiatric illness. They have three faces. The
Congress group has been all along here and the face of the Congress group here
is that in the District level, whether in the Khasi Hills District Council
level, they become an allay of the H.S.P.D.P. and they present themselves before
the people on the face of the Public Demands Implementation Committee under the
foundation head of Mr. G.G. Swell.

Mr. Speaker :- The name of Prof. Swell cannot be
brought here.

Shri. P.R. Kyndiah :- So I withdraw, Mr. Speaker, Sir,
already the mover friend has mentioned the Land Reforms Commission. And my
friend the hon. mover has charged the Ruling Party. Now, on this matter I would
like to make my submission. Sir, in this very House, on 24th March, 1973 the
hon. Member from Mawprem, Mr. Maham Singh, made a remark that if we are to
protect the security of ownership and possession of land, the Land Reforms
Commission should be abolished. But I say, Sir, a Commission should be abolished
for this purpose. Mr. Speaker, Sir, after what the Leader of the
Congress Party, I mean, the President of the Congress Party had said, and
shortly after that there was a d4cision to the contrary by the Congress
group has come forward to charge the Ruling Party that it has gone against the
wishes of the people. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I submit that the Government have taken
all the Members into confidence, to constitute the Land Reforms Commission in
the interest of the people at large and farmers in particular to preserve their
agricultural lands.

Now, Mr. Speaker,
Sir, my hon. friend, the hon. Mover of the Motion had charged that we have no
right to occupy the Treasury Bench.

Mr. Speaker :- What is objectionable is perhaps what
the hon. Member said that we have no rights, no legal right ......

Mr. Speaker :- You must submit to my ruling. I have
recognised the H.S.P.D.P. as a Group and they have the right .... (Interruption)
But Mr. Kyndiah has not clarified. He said "As the satellite of the
Congress". But I do not know how you should think about it.

Shri. P.R. Kyndiah :- Now, Mr. Speaker, Sir, we are
here as the Ruling Party, as a Party forming the Cabinet. We have not formed the
Government at the behest of any Party, or anybody, we were here enjoying the
mandate of the people in 1972 up to now. But they say, "Why don't you
resign and face electorate. I accept the challenge. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is the
Member from Malki who happened to be the Chairman of the Public Implementation
Committee, who decided not to co-operate with the Government. Is there anything
that the Government is so bad that they should forfeit the right to rule. Now,
Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am......

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- On a point of order, Mr.
Speaker, Sir, any Member while speaking shall not make personal charge against
any Member.

Mr. Speaker :- There is no charge against any one
personally. They are only making references to the activities of the Member as a
public leader. I do not think you became Chairman of that Committee without any
conviction; there must be conviction.

Shri. P.R. Kyndiah :- I submit Mr. Speaker, Sir, that
the Government has not been able to fulfill all the promises or pledges that we
from the Government side have made. There must be some lapses here and there,
but certainly it is to the credit of our leaders and on the part of the
Government that we have lived up to our promises. But the hon. Member from Malki
has charged that we have not lived up to our promises. I have got here the
election manifesto of 1972 of the All Party Hills Leaders Conference, which
speaks about the confidence that the party has enjoyed and after the people have
voted us to power, it is the mandate and the free will of the people. Since
after that we have been able to do substantially, the Government have really
lived up to its promises. One of the programmes of the APHLC is to provide the
best available opportunities for uneducated youths through the Hill University.
This is one of the pledges that we made to the people and I can tell you Mr.
Speaker, Sir, that with the passing of the Hill University Act, nobody can
challenge us that we have not done so. We have done so despite the impediments
put up by some people. Anyway our redoubtable Leader, our Chief Minister and his
colleagues have been able to get the support of the students of Nagaland to get
this Bill through. Now, Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other notable performance that
this ruling party and the Government have done is in the realm of
agricultural development. This has been a priority programme. I submit, Mr.
Speaker, Sir, that we have been able to go through so far in 1972 in spite of
the difficulties. Our farmers were groaning under the weight of the money
lenders for squeezing them with exorbitant rates of interest. But after the
Government came into power and the establishment of the Meghalaya Co-operative
Apex Bank, 35 lakhs of rupees have been granted to the various Co-operative
Societies right from Nongstoin to Mawkyrwat right up to Mikir Hills border. We
would have been able to do much, had we been able to implement the Land Reforms
measures. Now, Sir, on the charge that we have not been able to create
employment opportunities, that charge is to the contrary, not right. Only in the
month of August, the Government of Meghalaya have been able to create 120
vacancies for the educated unemployed youths. Is this the failure on the part of
the Government and the ruling party to fulfill their promise regarding
employment opportunities ? Of course we cannot do miracle, we do not have a
magic wand. But the Government with all sincerity have been able to do much and
now there are employment opportunities. We are going to create an atmosphere
that there will be more chances for self-employment and this is being done in
the Department of Industries and also in other Department as well. So, Mr.
Speaker, Sir, the rose, call it by any other name, says Shakespeare, will remain
as it is is. So also the APHLC like a rose will remain as it has been .... (Interruption)
Now, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not like to continue. Others will take part. My last
submission is that today we are fortunate to have the calibre of Capt.
Williamson Sangma, a person, no doubt, of extraordinary gifts who captained and
steered the Government to safe anchorage. In him we find a person who has
progressive outlook and one who has the deep love and affection for the people.
He was one of the pioneers of the Hill State Movement right from 1964 when he
convened a meeting of the Chief Executive Members of the District Councils to
chalk out the move for our separate State.

Therefore, Mr.
Speaker, Sir, we fortunate to have a person like Capt. Sangma, who has been able
to present the true hill-man's calibre who, I say this without any fear of
contradiction, has the most unenviable position as the Chief Minister of the
State.

He has ears and
the yes and all these. On the contrary, I feel that in his guidance we should go
ahead with confidence, and with this idea in our mind, I feel our people will be
much benefited. If I may be allowed to say today, I would like to move a Motion
of Confidence on the leadership of Capt. W.A. Sangma. Now, Mr. Speaker, Sir,
there are many things to be pointed out but I am conscious of the limitation of
time. But it is a surprise to see that this motion is coming like a dash from a
Party having a split personality. I do not see that I have to say anything for
it today but I vehemently oppose this ill-founded motion.

*Prof. M.N. Majaw :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, at the outset,
I would like to make it very clear that there is no rancour bitterness in the
body of this No-Confidence Motion. All these gentleman who sat before us in the
Treasury benches are our esteemed friends. We have fought shoulder to shoulder
for the creation of a separate State, a hill State and in supporting this
No-Confidence Motion, I am the last person to reject that spirit of
rancour, bitterness and personal feeling. But I would like to say at the same
time, that even our friends would make a criticism and a doctor who, when
treating a boy, picks him up and then uses a knife and operates the boy. In the
course of operation he may kill or save the life of the boy nobody knows even
though the boy may be his own friend. Mr. Speaker, Sir, may I therefore say so
because what we have in our minds today is not perhaps being germinated in our
mind as some of my great friends have held us that we are only destructive; we
want to remove the Government and we have no alternative. But we have to think
about ourselves if we do that who will take the Government, who will be the
Ministers because by simply moving this No-Confidence Motion somebody else may
come and not that we want to be Ministers. We do not know the intention of the
Government or the Government knows the intention of ours.

Mr. Speaker :- By "We" you mean your Party
Group ?

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- Yes, Sir, we have consulted with
the Congress Party and they are also having the same view. Mr. Speaker, Sir,
what we have in our mind is that : is it not possible for the Government of the
A.P.H.L.C. to have another Government since they have many brilliant and good
people in the party ? There are many fine gentlemen her who would also be
Ministers of the A.P.H.L.C. Government who can form another ministry. There have
been many reshufflings and crippling down of the Ministers in many States of
this Country.

Mr. Speaker :- Sir, are they in any way deficient, are
they in any way lagging, are they unqualified for these young boys in the
gallery to be Ministers of the A.P.H.L.C. in the days to come ?

(Laughter)

Mr. Speaker, Sir,
as you know it was not our intention to occupy the throne but we are like one
man to State. We want good Government and if we eel that our present Government
has not delivered the goods, that is the operation Clause "has not
delivered the goods". Despite the fact that this Government has come into
existence since the last 4 years, i.e., since 1970, and we are now in
1973 and they have not delivered the goods to the people of this State, despite
the beautiful promises, assurances and beautifully printed budget speech of the
Finance Minister. More than 3 years had elapsed, the Government has not been
able to deliver the goods. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would further come to another
reference on mandate. May we examine this mandate with the permission of the
House ? I would like to point out to this august House, Sir, that the total
population of this State is 10,60,996 according to the 1971 Census. Out of this,
Mr. Speaker, Sir, only 41.30 per cent have votes, i.e., 4,80,000 people
and of this 4,80,000 people or 41 percent of the population only 51.5 percent
comes to cast their votes. Then Sir, out of 41.30 per cent or so of the total
population of the State only 21.7 per cent caste their votes for the
A.P.H.L.C. It is unhappy indeed Mr. Speaker, Sir, to see that the Ruling Party
polled only 35.5 per cent of the total votes cast.

Mr. Speaker :- But according to the Constitution, they
do not follow the procedure of Arithmetics.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- So, Mr. Speaker, Sir, 35.5 percent
comes to only 2.15 per cent of the total population had that included the votes
of the candidates who were elected in 1972 and from this it is clear that only
about 5.1 percent of the illiterates supported the Ruling Party.

Mr. Speaker :- The issue before the House is that
whether this Government has lost its confidence nor or not. It is not the issue
whether any party got the majority of votes in 1972 General Election. You may
only refer to the constitutional mandate.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- As a matter of fact, Mr. Speaker,
Sir, the total population and total number of votes in the 1972 Election was.
The total number of votes by the A.P.H.L.C. was 52,000. The Opposition received
52,00,3 votes. This apart Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is the first time that had
happened in our history. Another reference has been made with regard to land. I
think the House will permit me to read out a document of the minute of the
proceedings of the Public Meeting convened by the Chief Minister to the M.L.As
and M.D.Cs of this District as the hon. Member from Jaiaw has referred. The
meeting was held on Land Reforms where the Chief Minister has given a definition
of the phrase. Whatever may be the definition of the word "Land
Reforms" I am an ignorant man and I am not able to define I will leave it
the definition to the Chief Minister of the State. Now in Page 3 of the minute
of Proceedings of the Meeting of the Land Reforms I may read it out the Chief
Minister said. "The working papers had been distributed to the
people". The working papers clearly indicated below the question of Land
Reforms can be implemented.

Mr. Speaker :- That was a decision or simply your
explanatory talk.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- This is distributed by the
Government, Mr. Speaker, Sir, and these are the minutes of the discussion.

Mr. Speaker :- Prof. Majaw, when you refer to the Land
Reforms Commission where you are in this House you cannot discuss about the
working of the Government but only how the Government constituted the Land
Reforms Commission and the terms of reference.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, the point is
that this Government by forming this Land Reforms Commission intends to change
the customs of our people. Here in these minutes of the meeting, as at page 3,
it was clearly stated that there is a working paper. I just want to give the
Government's guidelines in so far as this issue is concerned.

Mr. Speaker :- You are producing before the House the
documents which relate to the discussion held in the Chief Minister's Chamber,
as you have stated clearly, but at the same time we must not take for granted
that Government will do this or that thing because the report of the Commission
itself will have to be accepted or rejected by this House.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- This was not in my mind, Mr.
Speaker, Sir, but I was just trying to show what are the intentions of the
Government, I know that this House is supreme. But at page 2 of the working
paper it is clearly stated "the basic requirements of land and tenancy
reforms, namely No.2 ceiling on holdings; No.3 re-distribution of surplus land
to tenants and landless people". I charge this Government, Mr. Speaker,
Sir, through the intentions which has been declared in this printed document,
that it intends to change this Government with a partisan spirit where their
party is concerned in dealing with the public. How often they have placed more
emphasis upon their own party. I shall indicate Mr. Speaker, Sir. Here is what
is called the Meghalaya Detention Order issued in 1972 and in this Order at
Appendix 'A: a list of newspaper have been allowed for those who have been
detained in which among the local papers only two papers which are known to all
as the organs of the ruling party, here I refer to the two local papers, i.e.
"Ka Pyrta U Riewlum" and "Implanter".

Shri. B.B. Lyngdoh (Minister, Parliamentary Affairs) :-
Whether he can substantiate that these are the organs of the ruling party.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- That is a matter of opinion. Let
them say whether they want to say whether it is or is not. I am only suggesting
it.

Mr. Speaker :- You cannot bring in the name of
"Ka Pyrta U Riewlum" or "Implanter" nor can you give any
suggestion in this House where it cannot defend or protect itself.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am talking
only about the list of newspapers at appendix 'A" where among the local
papers only two papers are there.

Then Mr. Speaker,
Sir, I am coming to the question of Education, though the Ministers, both big
and small, are absent, that in the matter of education this Government have not
attempted to constitute a well-represented School Board.

Mr. Speaker :- To whom you are referring as big and
small ?

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- To the Cabinet Minister as big and
Minister of State as small ?

Mr. Speaker :- It is unparliamentary to refer to them
by feature.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- But Mr. Speaker, Sir, I mean big
and small in importance. (Laughter) One is big as Minister in the Cabinet
rank and the other small as Minister of State. Now Mr. Speaker, Sir, with regard
to the School Board of Education, we all know that in other districts there are
educational institutions, but here in Shillong we have got bigger institutions.
Most of the institutions are located in Shillong, but out of all the
institutions in Shillong only one name from the Polytechnic Institute of Mawlai
has been selected for this School Board of Education and all the others are left
out and were not selected. We know that consultations were made with the Don
Bosco Technical School to give their names for inclusion in the School Board of
Education but though names were sent, they were not selected. Only one person
has been selected from the Polytechnic institute at Mawlai which is not well
run. I say that this Government is not sincere in looking after the education of
young people. Another instance I would like to point out is well-known to the
Minister for Industries. On the 26th August, 1972, myself and Mr.
H.S. Lyngdoh happened to call on the then Joint Director of Industries, and were
informed that the Government of India have allotted one crore of rupees for
implementation of a road-roller scheme and the last date was 30th
August, 1972, where 90 lakhs is to be provided by the Government of India and 10
lakhs to be borne by a private party. It was just by chance that we have seen
that there was such a scheme and we were told that it would be advertised. It
was only in one English paper which most of the local people do not read, and
also are not able to read English. Just imagine, Mr. Speaker, Sir, the
information given us by the Joint Director was on 26th August and it
was advertised on the 28th August while the last date was on 30th
August.

Mr. Speaker :- You cannot blame the Minister.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- I am not blaming the Minister, I
blame the functioning of the Department. When the paper advertised on 28th
August, 1972, for parties to subscribe Rs.10 lakhs and Rs.90 lakhs to be
provided by the Government for the scheme, we were surprised that a Party that
belongs to outside this State, occupying a house in Motinagar at Shillong, came
out with the subscription of Rs.10 lakhs in so short a time when the closing
date was 30th August. When we raised this question with the Minister
at a meeting, he knew nothing, about this and the file was not even put to him
and, to say, more, he did not even knew that there was such a proposal for one
crore of rupees. This shows the failure in proper functioning of the department.

Take the Transport
Department, Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have had occasion to speak about the
functioning of this Department. We know that at least there are 109 trucks that
have gone down to Gauhati for registration because of the most prohibitive
conditions here and it entails a loss of not less than 5 lakhs in taxes to
Meghalaya and at least a loss of Rs.11 lakhs for two years.

Also Mr. Speaker,
Sir, there is no co-ordination between the Department - one says you must pay
this money - the other say they cannot pay and as a result of this the other
Department does not know what to do and as a result, the Government of Meghalaya
has to face a loss of Rs.11 lakhs. This is how this Government functioning. Take
the question of the Assam State Electricity Board. The Minister told me in the
House, last year when I moved a resolution on this subject that certain areas
would not be flooded; that was very good and very kind of him ! But, without his
knowledge, or with the knowledge - certainly without our knowledge -' the Assam
State Electricity Board is trampling upon the fair fields of the Bhoi area; and
I have here some photographs that I have taken of the paddy fields proposed to
be flooded. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in his statement last year the hon. Minister had
said that only 4½ square miles of land in the Khasi Hills would be flooded.
This was this statement on 22nd June, 1972. But when I took the
S.D.O., along myself and asked him which villages would be flooded, he indicated
from a fair distance the area covering Jair and Shotsning which is only about 5
miles, and when you multiply it by 3 miles of width - by simple arithmetic
5x3=15 square miles. I do not know what arithmetic he applied when he said that
the area in question would be 4½ square miles whereas it is at least 15 square
miles, all of then paddy fields including hill-paddy areas that will be flooded.
Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Agriculture Department, is always heard saying :"Grow
more food", while the Electricity and Power Department would say "No,
we want drinking water, submerge the fields, let us flood them. Let us have
electricity". But who is going to eat your electricity (laughter).

Now I come to the
Cement Factory at Cherrapunji where they have appointed a General Manager who
has never had any experience - I am talking with knowledge - in any cement
factory. All he had done in the past was to serve as a Sales Assistant, and with
this experience he has been made the General Manager, a sort of technical expert
for his advice, without any experience in cement manufacture in the country or
abroad. He simply happens to have been educated abroad but experience in cement
manufacture he just does not have. And then this Department has appointed
Consultants, and I do not know how much is being spent on them, but to my
knowledge it is lakhs of rupees. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have just come from Delhi
and we know that the Planning Commission is quite willing to draw up such
schemes. We do not have to spend money on schemes, as the Planning Commission is
willing to prepare these, and certain schemes would be on grants, on which we
would not have to spend money. And then there are the famous Development
Consultants who are neither experienced in limestone mining nor in cement
manufacture. Of course there is just one man there, a Chemist, who is of any
use. That is the only man and he has a degree in Chemistry - an experienced
Chemist, no doubt. But in our limestone quarry in the Komorrah Mines, is it
necessary to have Development Consultants ? Why, you are only to break the
limestone and sell it to Bangladesh. For that you have to bring in Consultants ?
and stipend so much money as in the Industries. Department ? Mr. Speaker, Sir,
there are so many things also in other Department like the P.W.D. and various
other Departments. But I would like to refer to the Single File System. In 1970
in the debates, and I think it is there in the official proceedings, the hon.
Member from Jaiaw had said that this Single File System will not work and he had
opposed it. I hope he has not revised his opinion today, Mr. Speaker, Sir.

Mr. Speaker :- Who knows ? He might have accepted it.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- The statement of the Chief
Minister, at that time, was that they come from the masses. The statement, at
that time, was "I derive my strength from the masses and I will have to
serve the masses. We have come here not to serve our own interest but the
interest of the people." But I would humbly submit to this House Mr.
Speaker, Sir, that this has failed to serve the masses. They have not delivered
the goods. I compare the promises and the achievements and in comparing them I
have no hesitation in saying that they have failed to deliver the goods.

Mr. Speaker :- Now Mr. Lapang.

Shri. D.D. Lapang :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, while taking
part in the debate on this motion it makes me very much glad that the hon.
Member from Mawhati had, at the very outset, uttered that this motion is being
brought to this House not that they do not have any confidence in the Government
and the ruling party but at least to cure a little disease that they are having
which relates to the love and affection and confidence and Mr. Speaker, Sir,
this very plainly states the fact that our hon. friends from the other side lack
in information and knowledge about the actual performance and achievement of our
Government. Most probably, the hon. Member from Mawhati is half-convinced after
the statement made by our colleague, Mr. Kyndiah who cited all the facts and
figures and all the achievements made by our Government. He has also said that
many acts have been passed in this august House by simply steam-rollering the
majority but he failed to point out that these are really passed with the
unanimous support of opposition Members and it is also a plain fact that the
acts passed unanimously. It is not at all because of the fact that they have
been steam-rollered. he has also had the occasion to refer to the Land Reforms
Commission. It is very unfortunate Mr. Speaker, Sir, for a responsible Member of
this august House to have a prejudicial opinion about the intention of the
Government. Setting up of a Commission is not a decision, it is only a fact -
finding agency. The Commission prepared.

Mr. Speaker :- No. you cannot enter into the workings
of the Commission. It is an independent body which this House cannot interfere.

Shri. D.D. Lapang :- That is what I said that the hon.
Member while referring to the Commission had said, even to the extent of saying
, that the Government could not interfere in the prevailing laws prevalent in
the country. Mr. Speaker, Sir, one of the hon. Members supporting the motion has
said that the Government or the ruling party has simply given promises without
achievement or fulfillment . May I refer to the Governor's Address brought to
this House in March, 1972 page 8, para 2 where it was stated that the Hill
University will be brought to this part of the country.

Mr. Speaker :- That has already been spoken by Mr.
Kyndiah.

Shri. D.D. Lapang :- What I mean to say Mr. Speaker,
Sir, is this that the promise is there but no fulfillment. Now may I refer to
that page and show that fulfillment has also followed. Mr. Speaker, much has
been said on employment opportunities. This is a promise and our Government has
given a clear promise at page 9, para 1 to give or create employment
opportunities to the youths. The hon. Member who moved the motion, I think, has
no information or lacks the knowledge. So, they only try to blacken the
activities of the Government. Now, on Soil Conservation Department where a sum
of money has been spent for reclamation of land, irrigation and terracing in
order to avoid jhum cultivation. The SFDA is giving employment to the people and
Test Relief Programmes in almost all the Blocks have been drawn up in order to
give employment to the unemployed people. So also Crash programmes, as mentioned
by the hon. mover, are providing avenues of employment to the people. But it is
unfortunate that perhaps the hon. Mover does not have the privilege of
representing himself from the constituency where crash programmes have been
implemented. I myself happen to come from the Constituency where there is
a lot of crash programme and people get employment under this programme. I know
that lakhs of rupees have been set aside and allotted for this programme in
order to give employment to the poor people as already been promised and stated
in the Governor's Address. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member might have
forgotten the fact that some minutes ago, the Meghalaya Civil Task Force Bill
has been passed by the House and that about 1500 youth will get the benefit of
employment out of it. I believe Government is also trying to make some channel
of employment and give the people such facilities of employment. Now regarding
the Border people, this Government has opened a special cell for the benefit of
the border people and also cell for Boundary problem. This special cell will
look into the boundary disputes and also one Adviser was appointed for the cell
with the purpose of making the workings of the Government more effective as far
as boundary disputes are concerned. In order to bring the people closer to the
Government, the Government has also gone to the extent of opening one more
District at Jowai Sub-Division at Nongstoin and Simsanggiri and an
administrative unit in the Bhoi area and also more Sub divisions will be opened
by this Government in the near future. Then I come to Industry. Most probably,
the hon. mover has had the occasion of seeing the exhibition organised by
Industries Department. This exhibition was close to his residence and I hope the
exhibition was close to his residence and I hope the exhibition revealed that it
is far better than that of last year. This shows that the Industries Department
has improved very much and is trying to achieve the desired goal of improvement.
Then the Government have also provided some financial aid in the form of
transport subsidy to the Small Industries. The Government is trying to get the
right people in the right place and have constituted its own Public Service
Commission. So we don't have to depend any more on the Assam Public Service
Commission for making appointments, to various departments of the Government.
Sometimes it is a fact that we don't have qualified persons for appointment and
sometimes there are no persons to come forward for the jobs which falls vacant
in some Government departments. In this regard I would like to bring to the
knowledge of our friends that there are persons now from our State who have been
sent abroad for training in different subjects. Some of these persons are sent
for training to Australia, England, Scotland and Solan, it is not at all a fact
that this Government is sitting tight without doing anything. But the Government
wants to see that the people of the State of Meghalaya march ahead with the
time. With these few words, Sir, I oppose the motion.

Shri. Grosswell Mylliemngap :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I am
almost convinced by my hon. friend from Mawhati, but I am so sorry that he has
brought some sort of mathematics by which he was trying to prove that the
present system of our Government in its working is defective. If he thinks that
there is any other type of system which can have a better outlook, he can by way
of suggestion give his opinion in order to help the Government solve its
problems. It seems he is also afraid of the President's Rule. He should have
been happy with the present system of Government here, especially with the
present Ministry.

Mr. Speaker :- The hon. Member has only made a
suggestion that the Ruling Party should continue with different set of Ministers
(laughter).

Prof. Martin Narayan Majaw :- Even the hon. Member
from Sohryngkham himself can be included, being a highly educated man.

Shri. Grosswell Mylliemngap :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, the
hon. Member from Malki has already pointed out about the potato trade. He has
said that the cultivation have been exploited by the middlemen. But I am very
much afraid, Sir, if the Government is trying to do something on this potato
trade the cultivators may be more and more exploited. We have also seen that
where there is a hand of the Government in respect of some trades there is a
tendency of harassment to the poor cultivators because we have seen that
whenever there is control on the trade, there is also a tendency of hoarding the
produces. So in this way the cultivators will be exploited. But Mr. Speaker,
Sir, I am sure that the Government is quite alert about this and they have taken
the initiative to constitute a Marketing Federation which will deal not only
with potato, but also with other agricultural produces. Sir, one Hon. Member has
also mentioned about statistics of the schools that we are having in our State
at present. It seems that he wanted the quantity only. He wanted to have more
and more schools without taking into consideration the fact that having some
more schools will really help the people or not. Whether having more schools is
justified or not. But I think there is no use of having more school, more high
schools and M.E. Schools just for the sake of raising the number. Therefore,
Sir, I am sure that the Government is quite considered to see that there are no
such lapses on its part and refuse any recognition or has refused any permission
to the schools which are really deserving. They can cite example that the
Government is not encouraging education in the State. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the hon.
Member from Malki has also mentioned about non-absorption of IAS officers and
allied officers.

Mr. Speaker :- You mean that the State Government do
not take steps also to allot successful I.A.S., candidates of the State to the
Joint Cadre.

Shri. G. Mylliemngap :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is an All
India Cadre and also the candidates or officers when they are appearing in the
examination they have been given option to which State they will be allotted
when they will be qualified. Therefore, it is not a fact that the State
Government did not try to bring some of the Khasi and Tribal officers. The
Government did not fail in this case. The State Government do not want to
release such officers. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I do not want to lengthen my
speech but I oppose this no-confidence motion since we are sure that the
Government is trying its level best. I would like to remind my Opposition
Members to remember the story written by Shakespeare 'Rip Van Winkle' who slept
for 20 years. I would request the hon. Member to close their eyes for at least 2
years only and open after two years and see what development the State
Government have done.

Shri. B. B. Shallam :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will be
brief in my speech. I would like to refer to only the point stated by some of my
friends from the opposition Bench. First of all, they have raised a point about
the Meghalaya Finance Tax Act and to refer to this Act, they particularly
mentioned that the poor agriculturists were imposed with heavy taxes not
considering their difficulties. But in the speeches of other Members, some of
the points which were raised by them told us in this House they even met the
Ministers and sought clarification from them. But in this particular respect, as
they have spoken, they have not consulted the Government, whether it meant for
the good of the agriculturists or to bring more difficulties to them. In so far
as I am concerned in consultation with the Government, I find that this Act is
to impose taxes on particular types of agriculturists but not on all
agriculturists. But only to those whose income is more than Rs.5,000 and that
also at a very low percentage. We must also remember that the Government cannot
exist without taxes. It is to me a great surprise that as it appears now
taxation that was imposed on the people even by the Central Government, was so
heavy that none from the Congress side raised a voice against it. For example,
Mr. Speaker, Sir, a packet of match where we used to purchase at 0.10 paise has
been administration without taxation

Mr. Speaker :- No Government can run the
administration without taxation.

Shri. B.B. Shallam :- It is to my great surprise to
see that even in Delhi when the Congress Government run the administration they
imposed heavy tax, but no voice was raised. Here in a small State like
Meghalaya, we have raise the revenue. It is no use throwing mud on the
Government and as the Government is run by human beings we cannot except
perfection. Even the most civilised countries like U.S.A. are facing
difficulties.

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- So the Vice-President resigned.

Mr. Speaker :- You cannot cast any reflection, as you
do not know on what reasons he resigned.

Shri. B.B. Shallam :- I would like also to point out
to the apprehension regarding food scarcity as contended by the Member who spoke
before me. He said that he had approached the Government on how to tide over the
difficulty faced by the people due to food scarcity but the reply what that the
people due to food scarcity but the reply was that the problem is an all India
phenomenon. We cannot deny that fact. Mr. Speaker, Sir, sometime ago even in
Jaintia Hills, the price of rice went up to Rs.3.50 per kg. but now it is
available at Rs.60 per maund. So there was no point in blaming the Government on
this score. I would like to pin-point the apprehension expressed by the hon.
Member from Mawhati, Prof. M.N. Majaw in which he said that he has no confidence
in the present Ministry. But at the same time he wants the A.P.H.L.C. to
continue to run the Government.

Mr. Speaker :- He lost confidence in the present
Cabinet headed by Capt. W.A. Sangma but he wants the A.P.H.L.C. to continue.

Shri. B.B. Shallam :- I must thank the Member from
Mawhati his magnanimity in that he still wants the A.P.H.L.C. to continue. But
at the same time this good gesture of this betrays his own weakness that in case
of President's Rule it is difficult for him to face the next election again.

*Shri. Jormanik Syiem :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, in my
opinion I find no new subject in this debate. We have had occasion to discuss
this subject in the cut motion and other occasions. However, I would like to
refer only to a few items which the Mover of the motion has mentioned in this
motion.

(1) He has
attached the Agricultural Income-Tax Act. Either he has misread the Act or he
did not understand the Act. The Agricultural Income Tax Act was applicable only
to those lands which are liable to pay revenue to the Government, and that also
if their income exceeds Rs.5,000 a year. That Act cannot apply to the lands in
Meghalaya which are not liable to pay any revenue to the Government. So the
whole attack on this subject is a misconception of the Act. Then he has also
referred to Land Transfer Regulation. We are all aware that previously it was
the District Councils which used to regulate transfer of lands from a tribal to
a non-tribal but then there was a case before the High Court and ultimately it
went to the Supreme Court which declared that the District Councils had no
authority to impose restrictions on transfer of lands. Therefore, in order to
protect the interest of the scheduled tribes this Act was passed to regulate the
transfer of lands. Now regarding development, Mr. Speaker, Sir, I think we have
got eyes to see but we do not see. We can well remember, before we got our own
State how many roads were opened in the Khasi Hills and perhaps in the whole of
Meghalaya ? Now within less than two years we have seen so many roads - a
network of roads has been opened throughout the State. Therefore, to construe
that the Government has failed to develop the State is wrong and as such Mr.
Speaker, Sir, I beg to submit that this motion is without any substance. It is
only an attempt to reduce this august House to a mere debating society. Of
course, there are so many things yet to be done by the Government. At the same
time we should remember the maxim - "Rome was built not in a day". We
should make an honest attempt to see what our Government has done for the
improvement of the State. If we look with the eyes which are not prejudices to
the Government, we can see what has been achieved within this short period of
time. Mr. Speaker, Sir, with these few words, I oppose this motion.

Mr. Speaker :- Shri. S.P. Swer.

Shri. S.P. Swer :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, some of the hon.
Members have referred to one Act passed by the Parliament in respect of
Nationalisation of Coal Mines and they have charged the Government for not being
able to protect the coal mine owners of this State who run their coal mines on
cottage industries basis. But Mr. Speaker, Sir, the intention of the Government
is always to see that the weaker sections of the people be protected.

Mr. Speaker :- They were blaming the Government for
this Act which was passed by the Parliament.

Shri. S.P. Swer :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, what I would like
to make very clear in this House is that, the intention of the Government is
always to see those people.

Shri. Upstar Kharbuli :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, on a point
of clarification, what I said that this Government did not take any steps to
protect us from the operation of the Nationalisation of the Coal Mines Act.

Mr. Speaker :- The Act was passed by the Parliament
but the State Government also had some other avenues to protect the mine owners
who run these on cottage industries basis.

Shri. S.P. Swer :- So, Mr. Speaker, Sir, they have
shown so much interest for the mine owners but whether they have shown similar
interest for those miners who live most of the time underground ? I mean coal
miners and not the coal mine owners. Where is the guarantee for their safety and
what is the guarantee about their welfare ? Mr. Speaker, Sir, the intention of
this no-confidence motion brought in this House is nothing but to minimise the
achievement of the present Government. We know very well that this APHLC
Government started from the scratch.

Mr. Speaker, Sir,
some of the hon. Members have also referred to the achievement of the objective
goals. These objective goals have been enshrined in the Directive Principles of
the Constitution itself and Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Directive Principles command
the Government in the governance of the State to achieve these goals. But Mr.
Speaker, Sir, it is not only the Government but it calls upon all sections of
the people to work together to achieve these goals. Mr. Speaker, Sir, ours is a
democratic Government, but I would like to remind that this Government has got
no magic lamp to achieve these goals in a moment. With these words I oppose the
motion.

Mr. Speaker :- Mr. Hadem ?

*Shri. H. Hadem :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have heard the
charges which according to me are not charges at all. What has been expressed by
the hon. Mover of the no-confidence Motion under discussion, the same charges
had been made during the Budget Session through various motions and cut motions
and ultimately all those motions and cut motions had been willfully withdrawn.
But now again they are singing the same song which has already been sung. (loud
laughter), I do not understand, Sir, how all these things could be reopened
which had already been over in this very Session during discussion on
Supplementary Demands. But as far as I have seen, Sir, there is no charge
warranting a no-confidence motion in the present Government. Of course I am not
surprised to see that the hon. Member who moved this no confidence motion
expects too much from the Government headed by the present Chief Minister. Only
two years now the status of the autonomous State under the leadership of the
present Chief Minister has been upgraded to a full-fledged State. I must also
bring to their notice, Sir, that there have been developments though the present
Government is only a part of that major portion which has been expanded by the
previous Government. This Government will have a chance to develop our State
only after the Fifth Five Year will be implemented. Even then Mr. Speaker, Sir,
the Government has done a lot towards the development of the State. But
regarding the charges brought forward by the hon. Member who moved the motion,
Sir, I think we as a House here are all responsible for all Acts passed in this
House. So if we have to say anything for the implementation of any scheme or Act
of the Government, .e.g., if Agricultural Income tax Act had been passed
by this House the mover of the motion is a party to that. But they have not been
able to show that they have passed that Act. If this is the reason, all the
charges against this Government are not tenable. Moreover Mr. Speaker, Sir, the
hon. Member from Mawhati had tried to canvas by bringing about propaganda in
this House to join hands in the no-confidence motion so that other persons will
be installed in the A.P.H.L.C. Government. Mr. Speaker, Sir, if this is done,
probably he will join this side ... (laughter) .... (bell rang).

So Mr. Speaker,
Sir, we from this side express full confidence in the present Government. As
already stated by the Speaker who spoke before me, mention has been specifically
made by the mover of the motion about the period of two years. So what do we
expect within these two years. At least with best opportunities, I take for
granted, for the purpose of improving the administration of the State, they have
taken such trouble and tried their level best to give employment to the people.
Half-a-million jobs is one of the programmes of the Government. They are trying
their level best to raise the standard of living of this State within a period
of only two years. So I would request the hon. Member from the Opposition to
imagine this whether they will be able to do more than what the present
Government had done and is being done at present (laughter).

Prof. M.N. Majaw :- You can do better, perhaps.

Shri. H. Hadem :- That is up to me to say whether I
can or I cannot. It is not for anybody to say. It seems as if the hon. Member
who moved the motion mentioned about the rallies and public meetings. It seems
as if it is the only resort for legislative measures to bring about resolutions
based on those rallies and public meetings in which the hon. mover happened to
be the Chairman of that Committee. In that case, I sincerely hope that his
motion which expresses want of confidence in the Government is only to take a
second phase of non-co-operation with the Government by resigning from the
office as Members and allow the Government to run smoothly.

Mr. Speaker :- Mr. Hadem, I do not know that
resolution is to resign from the House. But from the trend and from the
speeches, they want this Government to resign or in case they do not resign,
they have come forward to throw the Government out.

Shri. H. Hadem :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, whatever
resolution which was passed by any public meeting or rally, whatever may be the
case........

Mr. Speaker :- These resolution are not the properties
of the House. But you can cite instances. I am not the custodian of those
resolutions.

Shri. H. Hadem :- The hon. Mover of the motion has
stated that has rally expressed want of confidence. They have no more confidence
in the present Government.

Mr. Speaker :- It is unfortunate that an hon. Member
should take resort to meetings held outside the House.

Shri. H. Hadem :- Sir, I submit to your ruling. Since
they are not important charges. I take them that they are not charges against
the present Government. As such, Sir, I strongly oppose the motion moved by the
hon. Member from Malki.

Shri. Maham Singh :- Can we continue the discussions
tomorrow ?

Mr. Speaker :- Yes, I have already told you that your
group will have1½ hours, the Ruling Party will get 1½ hours and the Chief
Minister will reply after that.

Shri. Maham Singh :- Then we can have time tomorrow
also.

Mr. Speaker :- Yes, we will continue tomorrow. I will
tell you that before Mr. Lyngdoh speaks, the Ruling Party has already taken 64
minutes and the Opposition has taken 63 minutes. The Opposition has only 27
minutes more because the mover Mr. Kharbuli has taken 26 minutes, Mr. Koch 12
minutes and Prof. Majaw 25 minutes. Therefore, the total comes to 63 minutes.

Shri. Hopingstone Lyngdoh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise
to support the motion moved by the hon. Member from Malki. In this connection
Sir, I will bring out only two or three points to snow that we have no more
confidence in this present ministry. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Government has
failed to assume powers, authority, responsibility and duty which have been
given to them as a State. Mr. Speaker, Sir, first of all we have just achieved
our demand for Statehood, we have achieved a State and installed the Government
and this Government in fact is to assume the authority of the State. They have
failed, Sir, to claim territorial jurisdiction of the State. Under the booklet
Sir, placed before the House, we have seen that the total area of the State is
22,500 Sq. miles. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this may be, if not a carbon copy, may be
duplicate copy from somewhere that this Government have taken and claimed that
they are facts and figures. Sir, this Government have not taken the survey, they
have no maps no documents and they have not assumed jurisdiction, authority,
powers and responsibility over this area. I cite an instance, Sir. So far as the
Directive Principle of the Constitution of India is concerned, this Government
has to protect the citizens of the State. It is the duty of the State to protect
the lives of the citizens. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will refer to certain instances
which have appeared in the newspaper, "Lyngwiar Dpei" of the issues of
December 5, 1973. Sir, there is a village under Nongpoh Thana, Nongkhlaw
constituency in the District Council of Khasi Hills and this District Council
has assumed authority and responsibility over the administration of this area
after the commencement of the Constitution of India. There are about 300 people
in one village Mawtamur, and Sir, the people of this village have been
threatened by the outsiders. When the District Council requested the Government
for protection of this village but the Government did not take any action or pay
any attention at all. All the forest wealth, properties of the people have been
taken away by the outsiders. Sir, another instance, Umtap village, Mawlan
Langpih, etc. under the Nongstoin Sub division where the people of that area are
voters of Mawthengkut constituency who are also under Rambrai Syiemship. The
people of this area were driven out by the outsiders and I have reported this
matter to the Chief Minister and Deputy Commissioner of this District but they
did not pay any attention. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have heard the calling attention
raised by the Member of the Nongpoh constituency that the people of Pilangkata
and Beltola are being suppressed and harassed by the outsiders although this
area is well within the Khasi Hills district under Nongpoh Thana. This matter
was also reported to the Government and the District authorities but they did
not take any responsibility. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have referred all these matters
even to the Government of India and I have sent report to the Chief Minister
about the whole situation. The Government has failed to assume responsibility to
protect the people, properties and territory.

Further, the State
has failed to maintain the internal security in this District of Khasi Hills Mr.
Speaker, Sir, some Members have raised the point here that there is a trouble in
the Mawthengkut constituency under the Nongstoin Sub division. The outsiders are
harassing and suppressing the people and they are disturbing the people of their
cultivation. Some of them just disappeared from the area. May we have gone to
Nepal, Darjeeling or some other places. These outsiders create a very big
golmaal there, in the month of October where they have accused the Sirdar of
Tynhiang, the Headmen and some other Members of the village that those outsiders
were killed by the local Khasis, consequently the police from Nongstoin went to
the place arrested them, beaten them, kicked them and harassed them. Mr.
Speaker, Sir, this matter was reported to the Government but no action was taken
on it. Sir, in my area every time there are reports of killing and to remind
you, Sir, just last year my uncle has been killed by robbers but the police has
failed to investigate and even nothing through investigation came out. But the
person was murdered. Sir, just last year my uncle has been killed by robbers but
the police has failed to investigate and even nothing through investigation came
out. But the person was murdered. Sir, this matter also was reported to the
Minister, Deputy Commissioner and Police authorities, but they did not pay any
attention to that.

So, Mr. Speaker,
Sir, this Government did not care about all these things.

Mr. Speaker :- Then what happened to that murder case
?

Shri. Hopingstone Lyngdoh :- Sir, there has not yet
been any proper investigation about this case. This case is still pending in the
court of the Magistrate, Shillong.

Sir, I am coming
to another point that the Government has failed to perform its duties and
shoulder the responsibilities sand fulfill its promises. Sir, I will refer to
certain proceedings of the House of April Session 1970. If you look at the page
7, Sir, it has been stated in the Governor's Address. Sir, I will read those
portions from the Governor's Address : "My Government proposes to initiate
action to entrust some of these functions to the District Council on mutually
agreed terms. The District Councils have a great responsibility to maintain
local customs and traditional and to promote and improve such democratic
institutions as Syiems, Dolois, Nokmas, Laskars, Sirdars, etc. Government
proposes to help the District Councils in every way in discharging this
responsibility". Another promise, Sir, the Government proposes to help the
District Council in every way in discharging its responsibilities. But on the
contrary this Government treats the District Council as a foreign body. But, Mr.
Speaker, Sir, I will just cite certain instances in this respect, that this
Government till now have not done anything and as promised by the Chief Minister
since 1970, nothing has been done by this Government till now. Mr. Speaker, Sir,
just the other day, one platoon Commander from Tuka BSF Camp in Umniuh Tmar,
harassed the local people and he even challenged the Government by saying that,
"I do not recognise this order, I donot recognise the District Councils and
I do not recognise your Government.... "instead of helping the Sirdar of
Umniuh Tmar to enforce his notice on the Bazar the Sirdar was arrested and his
follower was kicked.

Mr. Speaker :- Whether it is the failure on the part
of the Government or on the part of the people, who knows ?

Shri. H. Lyngdoh :- They did not give instruction to
the officers.? There was no instruction at all from the Government. The
Government machinery has failed to help these institutions in discharging their
responsibilities that they have promised. Now, Sir, I have just referred to the
arrest without charge of the Sirdar. The officer and his force are outsiders.
They do not know the local custom and they do not recognise them, which are the
democratic institutions of the Khasi people. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Government
has failed to recognise these institutions and agencies which are responsible
for the smooth administration of the State. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I will come to
other few points.

Shri. Stanley Nichols-Roy (Minister, Industries) :-
May I ask the hon. Member whether it was the Platoon Commander of the BSF or the
Armed Police and of what unit ?

Shri. H. Lyngdoh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, it was the BSF
Platoon Commander of Tuka Camp. Here is a copy of the report. Mr. Speaker, Sir,
I will come to another item and that is the corrupt practice which is being done
behind the screen of the Government. I will come to the fertilizer. We have just
heard the Calling Attention Motion on this matter this morning. Sir, this is
regarding the fertilizer which appeared in the local paper. We have got copies
of the newspaper report. Sir, that is about the fertilizer scandal which has
come to the knowledge of the Government as early as July 16, 1973. There are
numerous reports about the correspondences between the Agencies in Calcutta,
Gauhati and Shillong and even our Secretariat of the Government in the State.
And then there is a telegram from one Mr. Ahmed to the Chief Secretary of our
State.

Mr. Speaker :- I just want to know the authenticity of
the telegram whether you know the sender.

Shri. H. Lyngdoh :- Yes Sir, Mr. Ahmed, the area
Manager of Rallis's India, Gauhati I received this letter in an envelope
(laughter) and it is published in U Pyrman, a weekly paper dated October 17,
1973. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it was addressed to one Mr. Horen Jones from the
Co-operative Society, Shillong. He has warned that this piece of article should
be corrected. There is a scandal, there is a rumour, misuse and rebooking of the
fertilizer from Gauhati to some other place.

Mr. Speaker :- How do you know that it was Horen Jones
?

Shri. H. Lyngdoh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I asked the
editor who gave this letter to me. I have got with me the letter signed by Horen
Jones.

Mr. Speaker :- Once again I would like to remind the
hon. Members not to bring in the names of the outsiders in the House.

Shri. H. Lyngdoh :- But, Sir, in the proceedings it is
written clearly and just the other day, bags of sand were taken from Alugodam
manufacturing centre (laughter).. Just at the gate near the Bara bazar, 2,000
bags of this fertilizer have been mixed with sand. It is very clear that he
Secretary of this Society (Interruption).

Shri. Maham Singh :- 1,000 bags is big enough a
quantity. Really the percentage of sand is so high that it was pointed out to me
by an Agricultural Officer that fertilizer is being adulterated (laughter).

Shri. H. Lyngdoh :- Sir, if you want to have a proper
of all these details. I will read out the connected papers regarding the
business, we have got.

Mr. Speaker :- The opposition has only two minutes
more to spare. Do I have the leave of the House that Mr. Lyngdoh will continue
for another two minutes ?

Shri. Maham Singh :- Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to
suggest that we extend the sitting of the House till the hon. Member conclude
his speech.

Mr. Speaker :- I have already considered from all
points of view and I think an agreement was reach between the Members and the
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs that I allow one hour for each group, and
then to be generous let us allow one hour and 30 minutes to each side. But if
the leader of the Opposition is interested to take part let me give him 10
minutes more for being the Leader of the Opposition.

Shri. Hopingstone Lyngdoh :- So Mr. Speaker, Sir,
regarding this particular case, had the Government been alert and active, the
Manager, and the Secretary of this Society would have been arrested earlier. But
as it appears now it is obvious that no action has been taken so far in order to
bring the culprits to book. Then again, Sir, I will make another charge and that
is with regard to a case of corruption in the Nongstoin Sub-Division. Sir, how
many times his question has been referred on the floor of this House on previous
occasions. Sir, we have complained to the Government about a theft case which
amounted to corrupt practice by one man who is dead now. This man took away
Rs.99,000 from Nongstoin Sub division on 16th March, 1973 when he was
a Government employee some time in 1971. The facts about this case here brought
home to the ears of the Government but nothing has been done so far and it seems
that the money which has been taken away from this Sub-division of Nongstoin had
been utilised by the Government itself during the Election (laughter) Again ,
Sir, this allegation is of a serious nature and tantamounts to corruptions. I do
not know why the Government did not take any action.

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- What
Department, let us know the name of the particular department.

(Voices : 'PWD')

Shri. Hopingstone Lyngdoh :- Another point, Sir, which
I would like to refer is with regard to a news item which appeared on 10thof November, 1973, about a huge sum of money that has been spent by the
Government for construction of J.B.R.C. road running from Shillong to Badarpur.
After proper investigation, the Intelligence says.....

Mr. Speaker :- Mr. Lyngdoh, that amount refers to the
expenditure spent by the erstwhile Government of Assam.

Shri. Hopingstone Lyngdoh :- But here, Sir, it has
been stated not from the Government of Assam alone but from our Government also
a huge amount was spent.

Shri. E. Bareh (Minister, Agriculture) :- Mr. Speaker,
Sir, I think every hon. Member of this House knows that this particular route
never comes to the Government of Meghalaya, that road was handed over to the
Border Road Development Organisation.

Shri. Hopingstone Lyngdoh :- Therefore, Sir, since the
Government did not bring any privilege case against the Editor of that paper
where such statement has been made....

Mr. Speaker :- The Government cannot be expected to
read millions of Newspapers which are published every day. Whenever somebody
finds some false statement on the part of any Editor, he will have to bring such
issue to the notice of the Government and the first thing which the Government
should do is to issue a Press Release. But if this House is to take up a
privilege issue on each and every matter which does not concern this House, then
the whole House will confine itself only to privilege matters. your time
is up Mr. Hopingstone Lyngdoh. I will give ten minutes' tomorrow only to Mr.
Maham Singh being the leader of Opposition.

ADJOURNMENT

The House now
stands adjourned till 9 a.m. on Thursday, the 13th December, 1973.